Cozy up to the wind at Candlestick Point

Published 12:24 pm, Wednesday, October 23, 2013

At Candlestick Point, you can hike, fish, go windsurfing or just take in the panoramic views.

At Candlestick Point, you can hike, fish, go windsurfing or just take in the panoramic views.

Photo: Raphael Kluzniok, The Chronicle

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Sergio gets and his sons Kevin, Oliver, and Jonathon Correno of San Francisco prepare to go home after playing on the beach the Candlestick State Recreation Area in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013. less

Sergio gets and his sons Kevin, Oliver, and Jonathon Correno of San Francisco prepare to go home after playing on the beach the Candlestick State Recreation Area in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 18, ... more

Photo: Raphael Kluzniok, The Chronicle

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Kevin Correno runs up the beach while his brothers Jonathon (center) and Kevin play at the waters edge at the Candlestick State Recreation Area in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013.

Kevin Correno runs up the beach while his brothers Jonathon (center) and Kevin play at the waters edge at the Candlestick State Recreation Area in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013.

Photo: Raphael Kluzniok, The Chronicle

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Fishermen pull up a ray on the pier at the Candlestick State Recreation Area in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013.

Fishermen pull up a ray on the pier at the Candlestick State Recreation Area in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013.

Photo: Raphael Kluzniok, The Chronicle

Cozy up to the wind at Candlestick Point

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Although Candlestick Park is soon to close, neighboring Candlestick Point State Recreation Area will endure and remains open and ready for visitors. Jutting into the bay from San Francisco's southeastern tip, the Point is known for its panoramic views, fishing piers, hiking trails and windsurfing possibilities. If hiking doesn't provide enough exercise, you will also find a parcourse.

The Point was created on tideland filled in by the Navy for the now-closed Naval Shipyard. Some say the Point is named for a tall rocky outcropping (vanished today) in the bay that looked like a candlestick. Others insist the name comes from the custom of burning abandoned sailing ships in the bay, their flaming masts resembling lighted candlesticks.

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At Candlestick Point, you will find picnic areas, complete with barbecue grills, restrooms and windbreaks to protect you from the winds that helped drive the Giants, and soon the 49ers, away.

The trail

From the parking area, walk over to the kiosk and take one of the trails that leads to the water. From the trailhead, the park might look inauspicious - the grass weedy, mostly dead and filled with holes that are home to the countless ground squirrels darting every which way. However, once you arrive at the bay, the views are glorious.

Sunrise Point and the fishing pier are to your right with Mount Diablo facing you. In the bay, look for pelicans, grebes, surf scoters, terns and cormorants. Windsurfers often take advantage of Candlestick's famous gusts. Walk past the Jackrabbit picnic area toward Sunrise Point. The trail is lined with coyote brush, lots of coast live oak, some Monterey pine and cypress trees and the occasional buckeye.

Sound sculpture

Continue on the trail to the Plover picnic area and look up toward your right to find the interactive sound sculpture "Orchestra for Natives of the Future," created in 1988 by Bill Buchen, Mary Buchen and Pat Fitzgerald. Based on percussion instruments from around the world - including Africa, Asia and Latin America - the gongs, sound tubes and drums can all be played with the hands. You can sit on part of the sculpture and create your own music, even singing into the large parabolic dish.

Sunrise Point

Continue to the tip of Sunrise Point and more breathtaking views: San Bruno Mountain, the East Bay hills, remains of the old Hunters Point Shipyard, the Cow Palace and behind you the soon-to-be-demolished Candlestick Park. Have your lunch on a picnic bench while enjoying the surroundings.

Continue out to the fishing pier, which stretches 150 feet into the bay. Here you can watch anglers fishing for halibut, striped bass, perch, sturgeon and smelt. A fish-cleaning station is provided. No fishing license is required to fish from the pier (or from any public pier in California).

Other trails

When you return from Sunrise Point, continue on the trail past Windsurf Circle across a wooden bridge. Jamestown Avenue and Candlestick Park are directly to your right. Continue past the Old Pier (now closed) as far as you want toward Hermit's Cove.

If you go

Candlestick Point: From San Francisco, head south on Highway 101. Exit at Candlestick Park and follow the Hunters Point Expressway/Jamestown Avenue around Candlestick Park. Go past the Last Point entrance and continue to the main Candlestick Point Park entrance on your right.

By bus from the Balboa Park BART Station: Take Muni's No. 29 bus toward the Bayview District. Exit at Gilman Avenue and Bill Walsh Way (Giants Drive). Walk southeast on Gilman, which will blend into the Hunters Point Expressway. The park entrance will be on your left. (The walk from the bus stop is about a half mile.)

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